The measures were needed to unlock Greece's next bail-out instalment.

Members of Greeks' far-left protest over decision to increase austerity.Reuters

Members of Greeks' far-left protest over decision to increase austerity.ReutersMembers of Greeks' far-left protest over decision to increase austerity.ReutersMembers of Greeks' far-left protest over decision to increase austerity.ReutersMembers of Greeks' far-left protest over decision to increase austerity.Reuters

Rocks and Molotov cocktails have been hurled at the Greek parliament while politicians inside approved the latest package of austerity measures.

Left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was elected on a mandate of rejecting austerity, but has been forced to adopt the measures to unlock Greece's next instalment of multi-billion dollar bailouts.

However, despite approving the pension cuts and tax hikes, the fate of his country is now in the hands of Euro zone finance ministers who will decide on Monday (22 May) whether to release the funds.

"It's their [the lenders'] turn to fulfil their commitments, just like we did," Tsipras said after the meeting, reported the BBC.

"We deserve and we expect from Monday's Eurogroup a decision regulating debt relief which will correspond to the sacrifices of the Greek people."